I am a Pole living in the United States of America for fifteen years now. My home town has had huge impact on my mentality. I was born in Częstochowa, a place of pilgrimage of particular significance for all Polish Catholics. The pilgrims' destination is the Black Madonna, a Byzantine icon located in the Chapel of the Virgin Mary of Częstochowa in the Baroque monastery of Jasna Góra. The monastery belongs to the Pauline order. Throughout the centuries, Many miracles have been attributed to the icon and the Virgin Mary Sanctuary is now a place of pilgrimage for Catholics not only from Poland but also from all over the world. Jasna Góra is a setting for many important religious festivals.
Special atmosphere of Częstochowa has influenced my parents very strongly. They have always emphasised the importance of religion in human life and taught me and my sisters to always trust God. The worship of the Black Madonna has been an important part of our life. Christian faith has been a foundation of my parents' system of moral values which they passed on me. The relationship between my and all members of my family have been very close and I am certain that I can always count on their help and support. As our life in Częstochowa was concentrated around the Church calendar, today all church holidays are still very important to me. My own hierarchy of values has grown out of the beliefs that were instilled in me by my parents.
After spending fifteen years abroad, I have not lost my sense of identity. I can say that I am what I am thanks to the influence of my homewtown and of my parents.
